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More from the Road
Sorry for the delay. The last few weeks became a bit hectic, with lots of freelance work, a death in the family, and my Thanksgiving trek to the west coast to visit the in-laws.
I’m ready to continue on with those road trip photos now:
Let’s start with Indianapolis:
This Preston Safeway store at 5040 East 16th was most likely a former Standard Store. Preston Safeway is an odd little chain in Indianapolis that has successfully managed to use the Safeway name without trademark issues for quite some time. There is no connection to the more well-known chain other than the fact that Preston Safeway seems to be using the “Ingredients for Life” typeface on some of its banners.
On to Chicago:
Despite its somewhat modernized appearance, the Jewel-Osco above, located at 3531 Broadway, is in an ancient building which I suspect may have been something else to begin with — perhaps a garage, a car dealership, or even a garden variety warehouse. The store is at ground level and the second level is enclosed parking.
I suspect this was originally a Kroger. It’s at 7620 North Western.
This gorgeous former Jewel store is at 4335 West Oakton in Skokie.
And now, the Detroit suburbs:
I found this 1950s-era Kroger interesting because it had obviously been remodeled and expanded into an early 1970s superstore. There’s a 1990s version still open in the same center.
And finally, Toronto:
It’s interesting that the grocery industry is so completely consolidated in the hands of three companies (Loblaw, A&P/Metro, and Sobey’s) but still operates under so many different banners. Loblaw owns Zehr’s and No Frills, while A&P owns Dominion and Food Basics. Sobey’s also operates as Price Chopper, IGA, and more.
I was unable to find the one documented former Safeway location I’d been given in Toronto, but I found other good stuff:
A Loblaws from the 1950s at 301 Moore is still open and in relatively good repair. It seems larger than average for its era.
Probably a former Loblaws at 2187 West Bloor.
Also a probable former Loblaws, this one at 1450 East Lawrence.
The Dominion store above, at 425 West Bloor may or may now have been an A&P. It probably dates from the early 1950s. The late 1940s/early 1950s model below, at 3142 Yonge, was definitely an A&P in a previous life, if its parking signs are to be trusted.
I may try to post one or two more at some point.
Back from the Road
This Food Basics store on Yonge Street in North York, Ontario definitely gets first place in the “cool sightings from my recent road trip” contest. I’m not sure if it’s a former Dominion, A&P, or what, but I almost spit out my nifty Canadian formula Diet 7-Up when I saw it.
This was a close second. A current Red & White franchise, it was originally a Loblaw’s, and is located on Lakeshore Avenue, in (I believe) the Islington section of Toronto. The Loblaw’s label scar is even still visible on the front, although it didn’t photograph well.
Speaking of Loblaw’s, I rarely feature new stores here, but this megastore at Queens Quay Market was too amazing not to include. Keep in mind that this photo is only the produce department, which is about a third of the total floor area of the store.
I was relieved to see that one of my favorite old Kroger locations, on Tenth Street in Indianapolis, is still open. The store is all of 10,000 square feet, but it does a booming business in the surrounding (not great) neighborhood. I even got a few photos inside this time through.
More pictures and commentary tomorrow.
Road Trip
Input solicited: I’m leaving Saturday on a two-week road trip which will give me several days each in Chicago, Detroit, and Toronto. Anyone have ideas about old chain stores and vintage shopping centers I should see?
I’m particularly interested in old National Tea, Jewel, A&P, and Kroger stores. I’ve also been told that Safeway had a Toronto division for a time. Location pointers would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Groceteria in Supermarket News
Groceteria.com was featured in Supermarket News on 18 September.
Northern California Retail
Interesting site documenting stores from my old stomping grounds.
Groceteria in the News
There’s a feature on this site in today’s Charlotte Observer, in case you’re interested.
A&P Update
For those who care, I’ve posted the first part of my A&P update, featuring a more complete history and more photos, including some amazing color shots of 1960 store openings in Southern California.
There are more photos, etc. to come over the next day or two.
Art by Yer Humble Host
A limited edition collection of vintage supermarket drawings from the 1970s was recently discovered in North Carolina.
OK, they were all done by Yer Humble Host as a precocious child. But they do demonstrate that I’ve been really obsessed with this stuff for a very long time. I think I captured the essence of the Centennial A&P pretty well for a six-year-old, thanks. I was also proud of my Big Food Star; I think my technique had really matured by age eleven.
I guess that’s enough self-indulgence for one day. Now you all know what a big geek I was, even as a child.
Updates
I just went through two months of email, some of it things I’d managed not even to see before. My apologies. Moving into my first house was more work even than I expected.
A few cool things unearthed in the big pile o’ mail:
- Labelscar: The Retail History Blog. This one really makes me feel all warm and squishy inside.
- A tribute to the Great Western Shopping Center in Columbus which features some interesting Kroger shots.
- Miscellaneous bits added to the Capsule Histories page.
Cala Foods, 1967
The Cala Foods location at California and Hyde in San Francisco, from the 1967 film Petulia.
This stunning bit of supermarket architecture and design has been featured on my front page before, but I thought a couple of vintage photos showing the original interior and unaltered facade might be nice too.
The store is still open, at least for now. It’s been remodeled and slightly enlarged, but both were done fairly well. Kroger is trying to sell off the entire chain, so I suppose you could describe this one as somewhat endangered.
